Catering Manager

Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago•Chicago, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hotel Catering Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all catering and banquet services within a hotel. This role focuses on delivering high-quality food and beverage services for events such as weddings, conferences, meetings, and social functions while ensuring excellent guest satisfaction, efficient operations, and profitability.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in the catering industry
Strong Delphi knowledge
Strong social tables expertise
Strong analytical skills, with experience in data-driven decision-making and KPI tracking.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in content creation and storytelling.
Words Per Minute typing of 60
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Leadership and team-building abilities
Return all phone calls on the same day and demonstrate timeliness in getting proposals to client.
Always maintain a professional image in appearance/attire and conduct when dealing with meeting planner and hotel employees.
Basic mathematical skills to complete reports and working knowledge of financial statements and forecasting techniques.
Strong computer skills including Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
Ability to work under pressure and deal with stressful situations during busy periods.
Interpersonal skills to provide overall guest satisfaction.
A minimum 3 years of previous experience in a hotel sales office, preferably in a 4-5 star hotel.

Responsibilities

Representing the hotel through client engagement with making proposals and other external sales presentations to groups and prospective customers to solicit, explain, negotiate and close group and local catering business.
Managing all aspects of the customer relationship including drafting proposals and contracts, responding to customer inquiries, as well as organizing all other arrangements as they relate to social and corporate events.
Directing and supervising meeting and/or catering logistics to catering and event services managers and other affected departments and team members responsible for event execution.
Providing guidance to Catering Managers, Banquets, and Kitchen to help ensure events are executed as planned.
Creative design of menus and events to maximize revenue and event experience.
Preparing and presenting catering forecasts and wedding pace and other reports as required by Director of Sales & Marketing.
Coordinating with Sales & Marketing in formal planning for and execution of significant events at the hotel.
Supervising all aspects of event operations, ensuring flawless execution.
Developing team members through coaching, performance evaluations, and training.
Coordinating weekly meetings with staff to troubleshoot and review events.
Ensuring adherence to service standards and guest satisfaction metrics.
Actively soliciting and securing new business, including corporate, social, and wedding events.
Optimizing space utilization and managing function space allocation to maximize revenue.
Working with Sales & Marketing and Revenue teams to develop event pricing strategies for related market segments and forecasting.
Leading sales activities, including responding to inquiries, managing leads, and driving event conversions.
Building and maintaining relationships with key accounts, event planners, and stakeholders.
Working with Director of Banquet Operations and Executive Chef to monitor and manage Banquet and Food & Beverage expenses and revenues.
Liaising with department heads such as Chefs, Banquet Managers, and Front Office Manager to ensure smooth execution of all Catering events.
Overseeing audio-visual requirements and ensuring all logistical aspects of the event are handled efficiently.
Preparing reports on booking pace, forecasting, month-end analysis, and other relevant metrics, when needed.
Ensuring team and relevant operating departments are kept up to date with competitor activities and provide insights on the market when required.
Ensuring compliance with safety and sanitation standards.
Ensuring all event documentation is accurate and up-to-date, including contracts, proposals, and function sheets.
Maintaining an effective trace and follow-up system for client communication.
Implementing standards for space management to avoid conflicts in event setup and breakdown times.
Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with clients to ensure repeat business.
Addressing and resolving any complaints or issues arising from events.
Conducting pre-event and post-event meetings with clients to ensure satisfaction and opportunities for future bookings.
Providing 'Lateral Service' to support other departments to ensure customer satisfaction.